Adventures & Instruction
Learn technique and fly fish the Battenkill River with Brew Moscarello — Orvis® Endorsed Fly-Fishing Guide of the Year Finalist — and his team of passionate and experienced guides.
“With 75 years of combined fly fishing experience in Southern Vermont, my guide team takes great pride in our deep understanding of the Battenkill and its surrounding waters. We always strive to deliver an unforgettable experience for every guest.”
Whether you’re a seasoned angler eager to hone your skills, or a beginner excited to experience the magic of fly fishing, Trico Unlimited is here to guide you. We focus on the artistry and joy of fly fishing by offering expert instruction within the beautiful Green Mountains of Vermont.
Forty Years on the Battenkill
The Battenkill River supports two ecosystems. The natural one—wild brown trout, mayfly hatches, seasonal flows. And the human one—guides, local businesses, communities that depend on healthy water.
After forty years fishing here, I've learned you can't sustain one without respecting both.
This short video captures the client experience of being out on the water with Brew.
Watch Brew tackle the challenging conditions of dry fly fishing in Fall during a historic drought.
Wild Trout, Wild River
The Battenkill is one of the East's premier wild trout streams. Every fish you catch survived winters, navigated floods, and claimed a lie where current delivers food and structure provides safety.
To guide responsibly means understanding you're a guest in this trout's home, not the other way around.
“I learned so much!”
“Nothing compares to my experience with Brew and his team on the Battenkill. They took the time to understand my goals and tailored the trip to my needs. I learned so much, and the river’s beauty was beyond words. Highly recommend!”
– John D, New York
“This is the guide you want!”
“I’ve fished many rivers, but the Battenkill is special. Brew’s knowledge of the river is incredible, and his team made sure we had a blast while improving our skills. If you’re serious about fly fishing in Vermont, this is the guide you want.”
– Sarah T, Boston
“A top-notch experience!”
“Brew’s attention to detail and the personalized instruction set this trip apart. I caught my biggest trout ever, and the scenery was unforgettable. A top-notch experience from start to finish.”
– Tom K, Portland, ME
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The Battenkill’s Two Ecosystems
by Brew Moscarello
The Battenkill River supports two ecosystems: the natural one—with its mayfly hatches and seasonal flows—and the human one—with its guides, lodges, and economic relationships that sustain the communities along its banks.
After forty years of fishing here, I've learned you can't sustain one without respecting both.
The Natural Ecosystem
The Battenkill is one of the East's premier trout streams, home to wild brown trout, brook trout, and rainbows. Every fish you catch is part of a larger story—it survived winters, navigated high water and low, and claimed a lie where current and structure provide protection and opportunity.
To guide responsibly means understanding you're a guest in this trout's home, not the other way around.
The Human Ecosystem
Manchester and Arlington have been intertwined with the Battenkill for generations. Local fly shops, inns, restaurants, and guide services all depend on the river's health. This creates a human ecosystem that, at its best, mirrors the natural one: balanced, sustainable, and mutually beneficial.
But not all guide services operate with the same philosophy. Some treat the river as a resource to extract rather than a relationship to nurture.
The Forty-Year Difference
I've watched this river through forty seasons—droughts and floods, the return of wild brook trout to tributaries. This long view changes how you approach guiding. You're thinking about the river your grandchildren will fish, the local businesses that depend on anglers, the community that calls this home.
True conservation means knowing when to avoid stressed fish, teaching proper handling techniques, rotating locations, and sometimes telling a client "not today" when conditions aren't right.
Community Over Competition
At Trico Unlimited, we partner with local businesses and support conservation organizations. We're not trying to dominate the market. We're trying to serve it well.
When competitors steal client lists and undercut relationships, they're not participating in the ecosystem, they're damaging it.
What This Means for You
When you book with Trico Unlimited, you're tapping into forty years of knowledge about this specific river. You're supporting a business that gives back to both ecosystems.
I want you to catch fish, but also to understand why we're fishing a given pool, how to read water yourself, what trout are feeding on. You'll leave with skills you can use anywhere.
The River's Long Memory
Rivers remember. So do communities. They remember who was there during hard years and who only showed up when it was profitable. They remember who built bridges and who burned them.
After forty years, the Battenkill and I have a special kind of relationship. When you fish with me, you're part of an ongoing conversation.
The river will outlast us all. The question is: what will we leave behind?
At Trico Unlimited, we've been answering that every day for forty years.
Come fish with someone who knows not just where the trout are, but why they're there—and what it takes to keep them there for the next forty years.